Machine for slabbing needles



, P; BEBRS. y MACHINE FOR SLABBING NBEDLES..V

No. 570,367. Patentedoot. 27, 1896..

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` Patented Oct. 27, 1896.

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MACHINE FOR SLABBING NEEDLES.-

N0. 570,367. Patented Oct. 27, 1896.

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No. 570,367. Patented oct. 27.1896.

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'are attachedto the wheel-casings in practice UNITED; STATES Il-IILO M. BFERS, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

MACHINE FIOR SLABBING NEEDLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 570,367, dated October 2'?, 1896.

Application filed February l0, 1896.

Be it known that I, 'PHILo M. BEERs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Slabbing Needles; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,sncl1 as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to This invention relates to machines for producing or forming the flat sides of the shanks of sewing-machine needles, which operation is termed slabbing; and the general features of my invention comprise an oscillating transferrer which transfers a needle from the hand of an attendant to one of a series of carriers, the latter taking the needle by a rotary step-by-step motion to a succession of grinding and polishing wheels, which latter are carried by a table or frame having a rotary reciprocating motion.

The chief objects of my invention are the production of a machine which is adapted to uniformlyT slab or flatten the Shanks of various sizes and styles of sewing-machine needles with varyin g sizes of eyes, and in the use of which machine no further care on the part of the attendant is required than to insert the needles one by one into the transferrer and engage the eye of each needle with a guide or locating point.

Further objects of my invention, relating to special features of the construction which combine to insure utility and effectiveness, are pointed out in the following description.

To these ends my invention consists in the construction and combination of parts substantif-illy7 as hereinafter described and claimed.

` In the drawings which accompany and form part of this specication, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine substantially cornpletc with the exception of the lines, which and lead to a suction-fan. view of the same.

Fig. 2 is a plan Fig. 3 is a vertical central section of the machine, omitting the upper portion thereof above the rotating tables. Fig. 3 is a detail plan of the disk-cam for oscillating the table of slabbing-wheels- Fig. 4

` devices therefor.

Serial No. 578,660. (No model.)

is a detail plan view of the transferrer, the holding-spring being omitted. Fig. 4n is a section on line 4 4"L of Fig. 4. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the same and of the operating Fig. 5"L is a detail hereinafter referred to, showing a portion of the rotatively-adjustable part of the needle-holder in the transferrer. Fig. 51 is a detail perspective View hereinafter described, showing the same parts as Fig. 5a with the addition of other cooperating parts. Fig. 6 is a det-ail section on line 6 6 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is an elevation from the right of Fig. 5. Fig. S is a detail plan of the cams for operating certain levers hereinafter described and a section of the levers online 8 8 of Fig. 9.. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of said cams and of the levers operated thereby. Fig. lO is a detail side elevation of one of the carriers. Fig. 11 is an end elevation of the same. Fig. 12 is a plan View of the same. Fig. 13 is a section on line 13 13 of Fig. 12 and showing also the cam track or guides in section. Fig. 13 is a detail section on line 13L 13a of Fig. 13. Fig. 14 is a detail sectional View showing the beltwheels and their shafts for driving the slabbing-wheels. Fig. 4l5 is a detail view of the mechanism for imparting an intermittent rotary motion to the table which supports the series of carriers.

Similar reference-characters indicate the same parts in the several views.

A indicates so much of the frame of the machine as is necessary to illustrate a support for the moving parts, said frame including an upperhorizontal plate d, supported on posts Ct', which rise from the lower plate d2, said lower plate having suitable legs a3, only one of such legs being shown in the drawings.

To facilitate the understanding of the following description of the details of construction and to render the object of each of said details more clear, I will first give a general description of the course ot' the needles to be slabbed, referring by reference-characters to some of the parts.

The operator or attendant first inserts the point end of a needle a: into the transferrer 1,

in the position shown in Fig. 2. As the ma- IOO chine is in operation the transferrer swings` toward the table G and pushesthe* shank of the needle between the jaws @'12 and 17 of thc carrier, (shown in outline in Fig. 2 and more fully in Fig. 12,) the table G being stationary at this time. Then the jaws close on the shank, and the table moves in the direction f the arrow in Fig. 2, and the carrier draws the needle out from the transferrer and cariies it under the first grinding-wheel, so that the upper exposed surface of its shank is ground or slabbed. At the same time the transferrer swings back to the position shown in Fig. 2 ready to receive anotherneedle and to deliver it to the next carrier. During the i outward movement of the transferrerand its return to the next carrier the table Gand its carriers remain stationary, and the table B and its slabbing or grinding wheels slowly oscillate with a rotary reciprocating movement to uniformly reduce the sides of the needle- Shanks, said wheels being so mounted that they act on the Shanks in a direction inclined to the line or length of the shanks. Each carrier stops undereach wheel, and afterleaving the last one its jaws are opened, the needle is pushed out into a receiving-chute, and it is ready to receive another needle from the transferrer.

With this preliminary explanation the following description will be more readily understood.

The plate a above mentioned has a circular track b for the table B, which is provided with a circular rib on its under side, said rib having a groove to receive the said track a. The table B is provided with standards b', said standards having vertically-adjustable bearings b2 for the shafts b3 of the slabbing or grinding and polishing wheels b4, said shafts having pulleys Z230 at their outer ends. These standards also have brackets b5, supporting casings b, which inclose the wheels, each casing being open at the bottom to permit a portion of the periphery of the wheel to project therethrough and having a vertical slot 57, where the shaft b3 of the wheel passes through, in order to permit the vertical adjustment of the shaft and wheel, when desired, without affectin the casin In practice the casings will have their upper openings or iiues bs connected with a flue (not shown) leading to a suction -fan. In the drawings I show six of these wheels. In practice the first five are of about the same grade of emery, but set at such height that they successively remove different planes of y the metal from the side of the shank of the shaft is a hollow shaft c, which projects above thc table B and has secured to its upper end the table G, which supports the carriers hereinafter described. On the shaft c is the sleeve b of the table B, loosely mounted thereon, so that it and the table maybe oscillated rotatively. A pin blo, secured to the table B, projects down through a slot a4 in the plate a and intoa cam-groove c2, formed in the upper face of 'a disk c3, secured on a rotating shaft c4. (See Figs. 3 and 3W) As this shaft revolves it causes a rotary reciprocating motion to be imparted, through the medium of the cam-disk c3 and pin bw, to the table B and the grinders.

The shaft c4 is revolved by means of the bevel-pinion c5, secured thereon, meshing with bevel-pinion c on the inner end of a horizontal shaft c7, which has an outer bearing in a bracket d, secured to plate CL2, the inner end of the shaft c7 being stepped in a bearing formed in the side of a sleeve es on the shaft c4. Sleeved on the outer end of shaft c7 is a worm-wheel c, said worm-wheel, when the machine is being driven by power, having the clutch-disk 010 seated against it by the nut C11, the disk c1() being splined on the shaft. When the shaft c7 is to be operated by hand for such purposes as repairing any of the parts, the nut c is loosened, so as to loosen the clutch, and then the shaft c7 may be rotated by the hand-wheel d on a counter-shaft d2, having bearings at d3 and in the bracket d, said counter-shaft having a pinion d4 meshing with a gear d5 on the shaft c7.

Meshing with the worm-wheel 09 is a worm e on the upper end of a vertical shaft e, mounted in suitable bearings e2, carried by the frame. The shaft e is driven from the main drivin g-shaft E, the upper end of which is shown in Fig. 3 as mounted in a bearing in a bracket e3, secured to the under side of the lower plate a2, the said shafts E and e' having cone-pulleys c5, connected by a belt e4.

0n the main shaft E is a bevel-gear F, which meshes with each of a series of bevel-pinions fon the inner ends of the shafts f', of which there are six in this instance. The shafts f are mounted in radially-arranged bearings f2, which are secured to the under side of the plate a2, said shafts having pulleys faat their outer ends, which are connected with the pulleys Z730 on the grinding-wheel shafts b3 by the belts f4. The distance between the pulleys f3 and b3@ is such that the proper frictional engagement of the belts therewith is not interfered with by the short rotary reciprocating movement of the` said pulleys 530. Furthermore, the belts are sufficiently elastic to permit the shafts b3 to be vertically adj usted,

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as above described, wit-hout affecting the j between which slots the edge of the wheel is concaved, as at g2. This star-wheel, and consequently the carrier-table, is alternately moved quickly for one-eighth of a circle and then held stationary by means of a crankarln g3, secured to and rotating with the shaft c4. At the longer end of this crank-arm is a crank-pin g1, adapted to enter one of the slots g and partially rotate the star-wheel, and on the opposite side of the shaft c1 from the pin g4 is a stop g5, the surfaceof which is concen- 'tric with the center of shaft c1 and fits the Since the crank-arm g3 and the bevel-pinion c5, above it, are both secured to rotate with the shaft c4, I have shown a screw gG uniting the said pinion and crank-arm. (See Fig. 3.)

The edge of the table G is provided with a 'series of recesses Q7, into which the transferrer 1, hereinafter described, is successively swung from the position shown in Fig. 2.

I will next describe one of the eight carriers on the table G, referring particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 10, 1l, l2, and 13. It is to be understood that all of the carriers are identical in detail, and while six of them are temporarily stationary under the slabbing-wheels b4, and the latter are being slowly oscillated over the shanks of the needles carried thereby, the other two are in front of the operator, one of said two being ready for the discharge of a finished needle and the other receiving a needle from the transferrer, hereinafter described.

The base-plate I of the carrier is secured to the table G by screws and the block of the carrier is secured to the base-plate by screws 2, passing upward through the baseplate into the side portions of the block, said screws 2 being indicated by dotted lines in Figs. l1 and 13. At one end the block is `recessed for the jaw-block 3, pivoted at 1, and the front vertical wall of the recess has a plate 5 clamped against it by the head of a bolt 6, the outer end of which, in front of the block is provided with a nut 51.

`The plate is slotted for the passage of the bolt 6, and its upper edge forms a rest or centerer for the needle 0c, as hereinafter eX- plained, and in order that it'may be verticallyadj usted with accuracy when the clampbolt 6 is loosened its under edge is inclined and rests on the inclined upper edge of a wedgeplate2, one end of which projects cutside the block and is provided with a bifur` cated angle end 9, which engages an annular groove 10 in a screw 11, the latter being fitted to a threaded hole in the block By operating` the screw 11 the height of the needle-rest may be adjusted to a nicety, and the rest is then clamped in position by the bolt 11.

The top of the j aw-block 3 is provided with an adjustable jaw 12, `said jaw 12 being secured to the block 3 by a screw 13, passing through a slot 11. Then the screw 13 is loosened, the jaw 12 may be accurately adjusted to take up wear or to be set according to dilferent sizes of needles by means of a screw 15, passing through a lug 16 of the block 2 and bearing against the jaw 12.

On the other side of the needle-rest from the movable jaw is a stationary jaw 11, which, however, is also adjustable on the top of the block in the same way as the jaw 12 is adj ustable on the movable block The movable jaw is operated to clamp a needle a: between it and the stationary jaw by means of the shaft 19, mounted to rock in a bearing inthe base of the carrier and held in place by a pin 20, engaging an annular groove 21 in the shaft. The front end of the shaft is provided with a cam-shaped crankarm 22, and the other end is reduced or camshaped at 23 to engage the heel 21 of the pivoted jaw 3. Therefore, asis obvious, ainovement of the crank-arm in one direction or the other as the carrier travels around the machine will cause the needle on the rest 5 to be clamped or released automatically. The mechanism for controlling such movements will presently be described.`

1u order to avoid possible contact of the slender body of the needle with the grindingwheels when passing under the latter, I provide a nger it for bending the points downward and keeping them in the position indicated in Fig. 11 while being carried around by the table G. This finger or depressor 7.:

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is secured to one end of a rock-shaft 7c',

mounted in bearings 7a2 on aplate k3, secured to the back of the block At the other end of the rock-shaft is secured one end of a spring 751, the other end of which is connected to a screw or pin 705, projecting from the block The tension of this spring is such as to press the finger 7c down with force enough to hold the point of the needle as indicated in Fig. 1l.. To positivelyliftthe ingert against the tension of the spring 7a4 when the carrier is at the front of the machine, I secure to the rock shaft t, between the bearings 7a2, a crank-arm 7a, having an antifriction-roll k2, `which is adapted to roll on the under side of a cam-track Z. This cam-track consists of a plate having its edges concentric with the center of motion of the rolls k1 and having its central portion Z horizontal and bent upward at each end Z2. The arm or bracket L,

ter post C, (see Figs. 2 and 3,) has the said cam-track secured to its outer end, said camtrack being therefore held in fixed position.

At the left hand of the track, where the rolls k7 leave it, there is a short section of track Z3, curved parallel with that end Z2 and connected therewith at Z'l. (See Fig. This section Z3 is for the purpose of insuring the rise of the roll k7 if a spring 7e should break or become detached; otherwise the finger 7u' would remain elevated and might come in contact with the first casing h6 and be broken off before the machine could be stopped.

I will next describe the mechanism for op erating the movable jaw rPinto grip the shank of the needle which has been placed therein by the transferrer. It has already been described how the jaw is moved by the movement of the crank i722 of the rock-shaft il. This crank 22 is struck at the proper moment after the placing of the needle by the upper end of a lever m, Figs. 1, 2, 3, S, and 9, pivoted at m to the plate a and having its lower end provided with a roll m2, which enters a cam-'groove m3, formed in the side of a cam 'y on shaft c7, and which will hereinafter be further described. This lever acts quickly to rock the shaft 1" and clamp the needle and then returns out of the way of the next crank @'22 as the next carrier comes to position to receive a needle.

Vhena carrier has passed the sixth wheel b4, its crank 22 comes in contact with and passes over a fixed stop m4, (see Figs. l and 2,) projecting up from the plate a, and thus said crank is thrown over to rock the shaft im in the opposite direction and release the needle. As the carrier continues to move to position in front of the operator the needle is pushed out from the now open jaws and drops into the chute n, Fig. l, from which it drops into any suitable receptacle. To effect this pushing out of the needle, l fix a pin o in the path of movement of the needle, as indicated in Figs. l and 2. This pin is an angular one, having its horizontal portion secured in a block o', carried at the end of an arched bracket 02, supported by the cam-track Z. Preferably the bracket o2 is of spring metal.

Before the jaws have been closed by the lever m, as above described, the needle-shank is pressed firmly onto the rest and is held there during the operation of said lever. This is effected by a tapping-lever p, (see Figs. l, 2, and 9,) pivoted at p to astandard p10 on plate a and having its outer end provided with a hole through which a rod p2 is passed, the lever being held thereon by a nut p3. The rod p2 is fitted to slide in a tubular standard p1, and a spring p5 is interposed between the top of the standard and the under side of the lever. The lower end of the rod p2 rests on one arm of a bell-crank lever p, pivoted at p7 to a bracket on the under side of the plate a, and having a roll p8, which is acted on by the cam z on shaft c7 with the proper timing to elevate the rod p3 and permit spring p5 to depress the tapping end of the lever on thc shank of the needle j ust prior to and during the clamping of the latter between the jaws. The weight of the rod p2 tends to hold these parts in the position shown in Fig. 0 when the raised part of cam e' is away from the roll ps. To aid the downward movement of the rod p2, a coil-sprin g pf (indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 9) is inserted between a shoulder of the rod and a shoulder in the standard p1.

It now remains to describe the device which transfers the needles, one by one, from the hand of the attendant to the carriers. This is a most important feature of my invention,

as it enables the needles to be so presented to and grasped by the carrier-jaws that they will be slabbed or ground with absolute accuracy, and adjustments may be so made that the planes of the slabbed sides may bear different relations to the eye and grooves, as desired. In other words, the slabbing may be performed on different peripheral portions of the shanks of the needles, and when the parts of the, transferrer are once adjusted allneedles handled by it will be slabbed with absolute uniformity.

The transferrer l isrepresented in Figs. l, 2, and 9, and is shown more in detail in Figs. 4, 4c, 5, 5?, 5b, 6, and 7, and the operating mechanism therefor is shown" in detail in Figs. 5, 7, 8, and 9.

The horizontally swinging arm 2 of the transferrer is secured to a bracket 3, which is fixed on the upper end of a vertical rockshaft 4, mounted in an elongated bearing 5, supported by the plate a. To the lower end of the rock-shaft it is secured a crank-arm 6, having a roll 7, engaged by a cam 8, formed on one side of the periphery of cam e' and held in engagement therewith by a spring 7a, one end of which is shown in Fig. S, the other end being attached to a suitable part of the frame. The shape of this cam 8 and the timing of its operation are such that the transferrer is swung from the position shown in Fig. 2 inward into a recess Q7 of the table G and to a position so that the needle which has been placed in the transferrer by the attendant will be in line with the space between the open jaws of the adjacent carrier, the carrier-table being stationary at this time.

The arm 2 is provided with ways 9 for a slide l0, which carries the needle locating and holding devices, said slide having a pin ll (see dotted lines in Figs. 5 and 7) projectving from its under side through the arm 2,

and having a plate 12 secured to its lower end under the arm 2 by a nut 13.

Of course it will be understood that the openin g in the arm 2 through which the pin 1l passes is elongated in order to permit the slide to move in its ways. In practice the plate l2 is secured to the pin 11, so that it may be longitudinally adj usted thereon. In

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. a pin mounted in two ears 18, secured to the A 7, is to afford a more steady bearing for the plate ct of the frame. The yoke 15 is elongated, as shown in Fig. 7 and the slot which receives the roll 14 is preferably curved to be concentric with the center of shaft 4. The object of this elongation of the yoke is tokeep the roll 14 in engagement therewith whether the transferrer is swung in or out on the shaft 4; and the object of the elongation of the pivotal point of the lever 16, as shown in Fig.

lever, since the lever acts to advance the slide when the roll 14 is at the inner end of the yokethe rightlhand end in Fig. 7.

The lever 16 is provided with a roll 19 a its lower end, which is kept in engagement with its operating-cam 3/ by a spring 20, one end of whichis shown in Fig. 9 as attached to the lever 16, the other end being attached to a suitable part of the frame. The shape of the cam y and the timing of its operation arel such as to advance the slide 10 (through the connections described) toward the carrier j ust after the arm 2 has been swung into the recess of the table G, as before mentioned.

Rising from the slide 10 is a standard 21, having a circular opening in its upper end (see Fig. 6) to receive a head 22, the front face of which is provided with a block 23, (see Figs. 5 and5,) which extends somewhat below the periphery of the head 22. This block, being integral with or rigidly secured to the head 22, may be rota-ted and adjusted as hereinafter described. Near the outer end the block is provided with a vertical socket 24, (see Fig. 42,) which receives and guides a piston or plunger 25, having a tapered point 26, which is to enter the eye of the needle placedthereover by the attendant. The block 25 `is yieldingly supported by a spring 27 and is provided with a piston-rod 28, extending down through the spring 27 and through the bottom of the socket 24s'aid rod 28 having" a nut or stop 29 secured on its lower end.

A small lever 30 is pivoted to an ear 31, ad-

. j ustably secured on the forward end of the slide 10 by a screw 32, passing through a slot in the base of said ear, and said lever has one end bifurcated and embracing the rod '28 and resting on the stop 2f), the opposite or outer end of the lever 30 being lifted at the proper time to'carry the tip of the eye-locating point 26 below the plane of the needle by mechanism presently described.

A plate 34, having a notch 35 to support the body of the needle near the shank thereof, is adjustably secured to the block 23, so that said notch may be set in such vertical position as that the longitudinal center of the lrising from the slide 10.

needle to be slabbed will be in line with the axis of the head22. Said plate 34 is vertically adjustable on another plate by means of a screw 37, passing through a vertical slot in the plate 34 and into the plate 36. The plate 36 is fitted to a longitudinal recess in the side of the block 23 and is longitudinally adjusted therein and secured by a screw 38, passing through a slot in the plate 36 and into the side of block 23. This latter adjustment permits the notched plate 34 to be set at the proper distance from the eye-locating point 26 to support the needle close to the shank thereof.

It is to be understood that when a needle has had its eye placed over the' point 26 the point of the needle extends beyond the inargin of the socket '24, so as to rest on a firm or rigid portion of the block 23. The said point 26 is tapered, so as to snugly fit the eye of any needle, and it is desirable that when the needle has been placed as described it shall be pressed down, so that its point rests on said rigid part of the block23 and its body nearthe shank rests in the notch 35. The point 26 is yieldingly supported, as before mentioned, in order that when a small-eyed needle is operated on and consequently does not slip very far down on the point 26 the said point 26 will yield to permit the firm seating of the needle just mentioned..

The mechanism to so press the needle down will now be described. i

A small bell-crank lever 39 is pivoted to an ear 40, projecting from the upper portion of the head 22, and the front end of said lever is provided with an extension or arm 41,`hav ing a bent or rounded tip. The other and lower end of the bell-crank lever 39 extends down and is pivotally connected with the end of a push-rod 42, extending through an axial opening in the head 22 andhaving its outer end supported in a bearing in a bracket 43, A spring 44 on the rod 42 is confined between"` the head 22 and a collar 45, secured to the rod, and has a tendency to hold the rod 42, lever 39, and arm 41 in the position shown in Fig. 5. To reverse IOS IIC)

this position and elevate the arm 41, a belli crank lever 46 is adapted to operate against the back of the collar 45 on the rod 42. This lever 46 is pivoted to a bracket or post 47, rising from a portion of the bracket 43 which overlies the adjacent way 9, and the outer end of the said lever is adapted to make contact with a roll 48, 4adjustably secured to a standard 49 by means of a slotted bracket 50 and a screw or bolt 51.

lhen the transferrer is in the position indicated in Fig. 2, the outer end of lever 46 has been relatively moved inward by the roll 48 and the rod 42 operated so as to lift the arm' o1' depresser 41 and' permit the insertion of a needle under it by the attendant. Then `as the transferrcr swings into the recess g7 of the table G the lever 46 moves away from the roll 48 and permits the spring 44"to act-` on the collar 45 and move the rod 42 and the depressor 41 to the position shown in Figs. 4 and 5, thus holding the needle firmly and transferring it into position opposite and adjacent to a carrier.

After the transferrer has been swung by the arm G and cam S the cam y acts on the lever 1G to advance the slide 10 and carry the needle-shank between the open jaws of the carrier on the table G, which jaws are then closed on the shank. As shown in Fig. 13, the jaws i12 and t are inclined apart or have their faces undercut. This causes the clamping action thereof to firmly seat the needleshank on'tlie needle-rest and insures the proper level for the slabbing operation; but before the table G is moved, so that the carrier which has just clamped the needle-shank will draw the body of the needle out from the transferrer, it is necessary that the eye-locating point 2G be lowered out of the eye. This is effected by the following mechanism:

An arm 52, pivoted at 53 on the side of the transferrer, is provided with a substantially horizontal upper surface or edge 54, over which the outer end of the lever 30 moves when the slide 10 is advanced, as above described. Since the other end of this lever 30 engages the stop 29 on the rod 2S, it follows that an upward movement of the surface 54 at a time when the lever 30 is above it will depress the rod 2S and the block 25 and draw the point 26 out of the needle-eye and leave the needle free to be taken to the slabbing- Wheels by the carrier. The vertical movements of the arm 52 are limited by a pin or screw 55, passing through a slot 5G, formed in au ear or lug 57 of the arm, said screw projecting from the side of the main swinging arm 2.

The required upward movement of the arm 52 is imparted thereto at the proper time by a lifting-arm or tappet-lever 58, which is pivoted at 59 to a standard G0, rising from the plate a. (See Figs. 1 and 2, and particularly Fig. 9.) Between the ends of this lever it has pivotally connected therewith a rod 61, fitted to slide in a vertical bearing or guide (i2, rising from the plate af. Said rod 61 extends through and below the said plate and rests on the end of a lever 63, pivoted at G4 to an ear 65 on the under side of plate a. The pressure of this rod 61 on the lever G3 is in practice increased by a suitable spring in the guide G2, arranged and acting in a manner similar to the springp9 for the rod p2. The lever 63 has a somewhat angular shape, as shown in Fig. 9, and at its free end is provided with an antifriction-roll GG, which is acted on bythe cam gf, secured on the shaft ci'. The shape of the cam y and the timing of its operation is such as to lift the tappet-lever 58 and depress the eye-locating point 2G just after the cam y has advanced the slide 10 and after the jaws of the carrier have closed on the needle-shank and to hold said point 26 depressed for a short time while the carrier moves away from the transfer-rer and draws out the body and point of the needle from the latter.

As before mentioned, the needle is held in the transferrer with its longitudinal center in line with the center of the head 22. This head is rotatable in the circular opening of the standard 21, and below said opening the standard is provided with a vertical slot 67 (see Fig. (3) communicating with said opening, the two sides of the slit being connect-ed by a screw (38. After loosening the screw 68 the head 22 and all its attached parts, including the rod 42 and the block 23 with its devices for centering the needle, can be rotatively adj usted and then clamped again in the standard by the said screw GS. This enables the parts of the transferrer to be so adj usted as to present the shanks of a certain lot of needles `so that all will be taken by the carriers and slabbed on a certain side of their peripheries relatively to their' eyes and grooves. To exactly determine the angle of adjustment, a scale is marked on the standard 21 around the opening, as indicated at (39 in Fig. 6, and a pointer or line 70 is placed on the head 22.

Referring to Fig. 4, 71 designates a vertical gage-plate secured to the block 23, the said gage being located adjacent to the eyelocating point 26. Then the attendant inserts a needle in the transferrer the side of the point end is placed against said gage, which thus enables the eye to be more quickly placed on the point 2G.

Since the arm 41 rises when the transferrer swings outward to receive another needle, owing to the outer end of lever 4G having the before-described contact with the roll 4S, it is desirable that some means be provided for holding the needle in the notch 35 as soon as it is placed there. For this purpose I employ a light spring 72, (see Figs. 5 and 5",) which is attached to the upper side of the ear 40 and extends out over the arm 41 nearly to the plate 34. The free end of this spring is curved or bent substantially as shown to facilitate the insertion under` it of the needle as the latter is placed by the attendant, as heretofore described. This spring 7 2 is shown only in the figures mentioned for the reason that in the other figures its presence would interfere with proper illustration of the arm 41.

The construction of the parts and the timing of the operation is preferably such that the table B on which the grinding-wheels are mounted is given one substantially complete oscillation or rotary reciprocating motion, while the table G and its carriers are stationary. Furthermore, the bearings of the grindin g-wheels are carried by the table at such an angle that the periphery of each wheel operates on the shank of the needle at an acute angle while traveling from one end to the other of the shank of said needle. Therefore the periphery of each wheel does not act simultaneously upon all portions that are to be ground, but travels thereover slowly and avoids undue heating of the shank.

IOO

IlO

Having now described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a carrier having needleholding jaws and mounted on a rotary table,

of a transferrer having means for temporarily i holding a needle and delivering it to said carrier, said transferrer having a point for engaging the eye of the needle.

" 2. A machine for slabbing needles, comprising in its construction a series of carriers and mechanism for imparting thereto a step-bystep rotary motion, a series of grinders past which the carriers move, and a pivoted oscillatory transferrer for delivering a needle to each carrier.

3. A machine for slabbin g needles, comprising in its construction a series of carriers and mechanism for imparting thereto a step-bystep rotary motion, a series of grinding-wheels mounted on a table, mechanism for imparting a rotary reciprocating motion to said table, and a pivoted oscillatory transferrer for deliverin g a needle to each carrier.

4c. The combination with the table G having a series of needle-carriers, of the table B having standards b, the vertically-adj ustable bearings b2 in said standards, the grindingwheels having their shafts mounted in said' bearings, and the wheel-casings bs provided withoutlet-flues bg, said casings having the vertical slots h1 for the passage of the shafts ot'f the grinding-wheels.

5. The combination with the table G having a series of needle-carriers and provided with a series of recesses g1 in its edge, of a needle-transferring device adapted to swing into said recesses g1.

(5. The combination with the table G, of a series of carriers for the needles, each of said carriers having a pivcted jaw and a fixed jaw, and a needle-rest plate between said jaws.

7. The combination with the table G, of a series of carriers for the needles, each of said carriers having a pivoted jaw and a fixed jaw, each ofsaid jaws being composed of a block having a jaw-plate adjustable thereon.

8. The combination with the table G, of a series of carriers for the needles each of said carriers having a pivoted jaw and a fixed jaw, and a needle-rest plate between said jaws, said jaws having portions adjustable, toward and from each other.

9. The combination with the table G, of a series of carriers for the needles each of said carriers having a pivoted jaw and a iXed jaw, having adjustable clamping portions and a needle-rest plate between said jaws,` said needle-rest plate being vertically adjustable between said jaws.

10. The combination with the carrier-base l, of the stationary jaw 17, the pivoted jaw t2 @'12, the needle-rest i5 provided with a vertical slot, and the bolt @'6 passing through said slot and through the jaw @'11'.

11. The combination with the carrier-base i I, of the stationary jaw @11, the pivoted jawtg @'12, the needle-rest 'i5 provided with a vertical slot, the bolt @"1 passing through said slot and through the jaw @'17, anc' means for vertically adjusting said plate 12. The combination with the carrier-base I, of the stationary jaw @'11, the pivoted jaw t2 @'12, the needle-rest plate 115 provided with a vertical slot, the bolt/i1 passing through said slot and throughthe jaw @'1'T the lower edge of the plate being inclined, and the wedge-plate @'8 on which the plate rests and means for adjusting said Aplate is longitudinally.

13. The combination with the-carrier-base I, of the stationary jaw 1'1"', the pivotedl jaw @3 @'12, the needle-rest plate t5 provided with a vertical slot, the bolt @'11 passing through said slot and through the jaw 11 the lower edge of the plate being inclined, the wedge-plate t'8 on which the plate i5 rests, and having the angle end t2, and the adjusting-screw 1111 having a groove @'10 receiving said end @'i.

l-i. The combination with the pivoted jaw of the carrier having the heel @'21, of the shaft @'19 provided with the cam 2'22 and having the crank 15. rIhe combination with the pivoted jaw of the carrier having the heel @'21, of the shaft @'19 provided with the cam @'23 and having the crank 22, the said 'shaft having a groove 21, and a iiXed pin @'2o engaging said groove.

16. In a machine of the character speciiied, the combination with a grinding-wheel, of a needle-carrier movable past said grindingwheel and having a finger to press the point of the needle' out of the plane of the periphery of the grinder. f

17. The combination with a carrier having needle-clamping jaws, of the shaft 7c provided with a `depressor-finger and a spring 71:1 for normally pressing said finger against the needle held by said jaws.

18.' The combination with a carrier having needle-clamping jaws, of the shaft k provided with a depressor-finger k and a spring 704 for normally pressing said iinger against the needle held by said jaws, and means for automatically elevating said finger 7c.

19. The combination with the table Ghaving carriers, each of which is provided with needle-clamping jaws and with the depressorfinger having the arm 756,01? the fixed camtrack Z supported above said table.

20. The combination with the table Ghaving carriers each of which is provided with needle-clamping jaws and with the springoperated depressor 7.: having the arm 706, of the fixed cam-track supported above said table.

21. The combination with the table G having carriers each of which is provided with needle-clamping jaws and with the springoperated depressor 7o having the arm k6, of the fixed cam-track l supported above said table, and the cam-track section Z3 below the track Z.

22. The combination with the table G having a series of needle-carriers, each of said carriers having a spring-actuated depressor provided with an arm k6, of the center post IOO C, the arm I. supported by said post, and the cam-track Z3 supported by said arm l).

23. The combination oi' the table G having` a series of needle-carriers, of the center post C, the arm L supported by said center post, and the cam-track supported by said arm, each of said carriers having a rock-shaft 7.5' provided with a linger 7s and with the arm Zt provided with a roll it adapted to engage said cam-track, and the spring 71;".

2l. The combination with the table Ghaving a seriesof needle-carriers, each of said carriers having a spring-actuated depressor provided with an arm 7e, of the center post C, the arm L supported by said center post, and the cam-track supported by said arm L, said cam-track having a horizontal central portion Z', the inclined ends Z2, and the inclined lower section Z3 connected to one of the end portions Z2.

25. The combination with the intermitten tly-rotary table having a series of carriers, each of said carriers being` provided with needle-clamping jaws and with a jawoperating crank 22, of the lever m for operating said crank, and the cam y having a cam-groove m3 for operating said lever.

2G. The combination with the intermittently-rotary table having a series of carriers, each of said carriers being provided with nee- (lle-clamping jaws and with a jaw-operating crank Z22, of the lever m, for operating said crank, the cam {1/ having a cam-groove m3 for operating said lever, and the fixed stop m4 against and over which the crank @'22 is adapted to pass to open the jaws.

27. rlhe combination with the intermittently-rotary table having a series of carriers, each of said carriers being provided with needle-clamping jaws and with the cam-shaft @'19 for operating the jaws, said shaft having a crank Z22, ot' the lever m, for operating said crank, the cam y having a cani-groove m3 for operating said lever, and the iixed stop m4 against and over which thecrank is adapted to pass to open the jaws.

2S. The combina-tion with the intermit ten tly-rotary table havin series of carriers, each of said carriers being provided with needle-clamping jaws and with a jaw-operating crank @'22, of the lever m for operating said crank, means for operating said lever, a fixed stop m4 against and over which the crank l22 is adapted to pass and open the jaws, and a transferrer located at a suitable point to transfer a needle to the jaws of the carrier after they have released the preceding needle.

29. The combination with a rotary table having a series of carriers, each of said carriers being provided with needle-clamping jaws and a j aw-operatin g crank 22,of the lever m, for operating said crank, in one direction, a iixed stop for operating the crank in the opposite direction, and the diseharger-pin o located in the path of movement of the needles.

30. The combination with a rotary table having a series of carriers, each of said carriers being provided with needle-clamping jaws and a jaw-operating crank 22, of thelever 7a for operating said crank in one direction, a iixed stop for operating the crank in the opposite direction, and the discharger-pin o, located in the path of movement of the needles, said discharger-pin being carried at the end of the curved bracket o2.

3l. The combination with the table G and its series oi' carriers having needle-clamping jaws and an adjustable rest-plate between said jaws, ol means for pressing the needle to its seat between said jaws.

32. The combination with the table G and its series of carriers having needle-clamping jaws, oit' means for pressing the needle to its seat between said jaws, said means comprising the lever p and devices for automatically operating said lever at predetermined times.

The combination with the table G and its series oi' carriers having needle-clamping jaws, oi' the lever p, the tubular standard p4, the rod p2 iitting said tubular standard and connected with said lever and means for open ating said rod.

The combination with the table G and its series of carriers having needle-clamping jaws, of the lever p, the tubular standard p4, the rod p2 iitting said tubular standard and connected with said lever, the spring p5 between the top of the standard and the lever, the spring p9, the bell-crank lever p6, and the cam 35. Ina machine of the character speciiied, the combination with the intermittently-mov able carriers having needle-clamping jaws, of the transferrer mounted on Y,a swinging arm and having a slide provided with means for temporarily holding the needle, means for moving said arm to a position to carry the needle in line with the jaws of the carrier, and means for advancing the slide to pass the needle to said jaws.

36. In a machine of the character speciiied, the combination with the intermittently-movable carriers having needle-clampingjaws, of the series of grinding-wheels set at varying elevations above the carriers, the transferrer mounted on a swinging arm and having a slide provided with means for temporarily holding the needle, means for moving said arm to a position to carry the needle in line with the jaws of the carrier, and means for advancing the slide to pass the needle to said jaws.

37. In a machine of th'e character specified, a needle-transferrer comprising a swinging arm, a slide movable on said arm, a tapered eye-locating point carried by said slide, and means forholdinganeedle with its eye fitting said point.

3S. In a machine of the character specified, a needle-transferrer comprising a swinging arln, a slide movable on said arm, ayieldingly- IOO IIO

lower end of the shaft 4, the cam 8 for actin gv on said crank-arm, the lever 16 foroperating said slide, and the operating-cam y. Y

40. The combination with the swinging arm 2, of the slide 10 having the plate l2 provided with the pin or roll 14 below said arm 2, the

lever 16 provided with the elongated yoke 15,

and means for operating said lever.

41. The combination with the swinging arm 2, of the slide 10 provided with needle-holding devices and having the plate 12 provided with the pin or roll 14 below said arm 2, adjustable connections between said slide 10 and plate 12, and alever engaging said pin or roll.

42. The combination with the slide 10 having the standard 21, of the head 22 provided with the block 23, the piston or plunger 25 having the tapered point 26, and means for holding the needle with its eye on said point.

43. The combination with the slide 10 having the standard 21, of the head 22, the blocky 23 carried by said head and having a socket 24, the plunger 25 provided with the point 26, and a spring 27 located in said socket.

V44. The combination with the slide 10 having the standard 21, of the head 22, the block 23 carried by said head and having a socket 24, the plunger 25 provided with the point 26, a spring 27 located in said socket, the rod 28 extending through the bottom of the socket and provided with a stop 29, the lever 30 engagin g said stop, and means for operating said lever to depress the plunger and point.

45. The combination with the slide 10 having the standard 21, of the head 22, the block 23 carried by said head and having a socket 24, the plunger 25 provided with the point 26, a spring 27 located in said socket, the rod 28 extending through the bottom of the socket and provided with a stop 29, the lever 30 engaging said stop, the arm 52 pivoted to the arm 2 and having a surface 54 over which the lever 30 is adapted to ride, and means for lifting said arm 52 at predetermined times.

46. The combination with the slide 10 having the standard 21, of the head 22, the block 23 carried by said head and having a socket 24, the plunger 25 provided with the point 26 a spring 27 located in said socket, the rod 28 extending through the bottom of the socket and provided with a stop 29, the lever 30 engaging said stop, the arm 52 pivoted to the arm 2 and having a surface 54 over which the lever 30 is adapted to ride, the tappet-lever 58 adapted to engage the arm 52, the vertically-movable rod 61, the lever 63 adapted to lift said rod 61, and the cam y for operating said lever 63.

47. The combination with the arm 2, the slide 10, the standard 21, and the head 22 provided with the block 23, of the plate 316 longitudinally adjustable on said block `23 and the plate 34 provided with a notch 35 and adj ustable on said plate 36.

48. The combination with the arm 2, the slide 10, the standard 21, and the head 22 provided with the block 23, of the plate 316 longitudinally adjustable on said block 23 and the plate 34 provided with a notch 35 and adj ustable on said plate 36, the said head 22 and its attachedparts being rotatively adjustable.

49. The combination with the arm 2, of the slide 10, the standard 21, the head 22 provided with the needle-supportin g block 23 and with the ear 40, the lever 39 provided with the pressing-arm 41, the rod 42 connected to said lever and having the collar 45, the spring 44 on said rod, the bell-crank lever 46, and means for operating said bell-crank lever to advance the rod against the action of the spring.

50. The combination with the arm 2, of the slide 10, the standard 21, the head 22 provided with the needle-supporting block 23 and with the ear' 40, the lever 39 provided with the pressing-arm41, the rod 42 connected to said lever and having the collar 45, the spring 44 on said rod, the bell-crank lever 46, means for operating said bell-crank lever to advance the rod against the action of the spring, and the standard 49 having the bracket 50 provided with a roll for contact with said bellcrank lever.

51. The combination with the slide 10 having the standard 21, of the head 22 rotatively adjustable in said standard and provided with means for locating and holding the needle.

52. The combination with the slide 10, of the standard 21 provided with a circular opening and with the slit 67, the head 22 tted to said circular opening and having needle supporting and locating devices, and the screw 68 connecting the sides of the standards for clamping the head 22. j

53. The combination with the slide 1.0 and standard 21, of the block 23, supported by said standard and having the vertically-movable eye-locating point 26, and the side gage 71 adjacent to said point 26. 54. The combination with the slide lO and standard 21, of the block 23, supported by said standard and having the vertically-movable eye-locating point 26, a movable arm 41 adapted to rest on the needle, and a spring 72 normally resting on said needle.

55. A machine for slabbing needle-Shanks, comprising in its construction the frame having the plates d ai, the radial shafts f f sup- ICO IIO

ported by the plate f2 and having pinions f 12 5 and pulleys f 3, the main shaft E having beveled gear F, means for operating said main shaft, the table B mounted above the frameplate d, and having means for imparting thereto a rotary reciprocating motion, a series of grinding-wheels having their bearings carried by said table B and having their shafts provided-with pulleys be, the belts f* connecting the pulleys 630 and f3, the table Gr having a series of needle-carriers and having means for imparting thereto an intermittent rotary motion, means for transferring a needle to each of the carriers and means for discharging eaeh needle from its carrier after passing the grinding-wheels, substantially as described.

5G. A needle-shank-slabbin g maehine,eo1n prising in its construction a carrier or holder for the needle and a grinding-wheel having its shaft at' an acute angle relatively to the line of the shank of the needle, and means for oscillating said grinding-wheel While its periphery is acting upon the needle.

57. A needle-shank-slabbing machine com# prising n its Construction a rotary reciprocating table having a series of grindingwheels mounted thereon, and an intermittently-rotatin g table having a series of needle-Carriers, the shafts of the grinding-wheels being arranged at an acute angle to the shanks of the needles ope ated upon by them.

In testimony whereof I affix my sign atnre .in presence of two Witnesses.

PIHLO M. BEERS.

Witnesses F. HURD, N. Il. lIoYT. 

